Sorice helps W&J defense

WASHINGTON, Pa. — Strong defensive play has been the key to the Washington & Jefferson College football team’s undefeated record this year.

And sophomore linebacker Neil Sorice from Canfield High has been a major contributor in that department.

A starting strong side linebacker, Sorice ranks No. 6 on the team in tackles with 20, as the Presidents have limited opponents to only an average of 10.7 points per game en route to a 6-0 record entering Saturday’s game at Westminster at 1:30 p.m.

Sorice enjoyed perhaps the best defensive game of his career in last Saturday’s 20-7 win over Saint Vincent, when he came up with a career-high 11 tackles — two solo stops and nine assists — despite suffering a shoulder injury.

“It was a slight shoulder injury. It happened in the first half and re-occurred in the third quarter, and I just left the game for one series and went in after that,” said Sorice, who has a partial academic scholarship and is in his first year as a starter after playing special teams last season as a freshman.

“It is bothering me pretty much so I am not sure if I am going to play [against Westminster]. It is up to the trainers. It is nothing serious that I am aware of.

“I am optimistic that I will play this week.”

If Sorice can’t play, he said there will be adequate replacements. “We have three linebackers that play but in our system but we use only two at a time,” he said.

It will be a key league game for Coach Mike Sirianni’s Presidents, who are trying to stay close to Presidents’ Athletic Conference leader Thomas More. W&J (6-0) holds second place in the PAC (2-0) behind Thomas More (6-0, 4-0).

Sirianni, a former Mount Union player and assistant coach, is in his seventh season as W&J coach with a 67-10 record. Under Sirianni, the Presidents have made the NCAA Division III playoffs each of the past six years.

Sorice also is looking forward to playing in front of his family.

“As of now, my parents [Lorenzo and Angela] will be coming,” said Sorice. “They have come to all of the games except one, and usually my brothers [Joe, Leo and Larry] come, too. They are pretty supportive.” Joe and Leo also played football for Canfield.

Neil also has three sisters — Grazia, Itala and Angelina.

“There is a possibility that my whole family may be there,” he said.

Sorice credits W&J’s defense for much of its success, although the offense has provided a 1-2 punch by averaging 34.2 points.

“Depth [on defense] has helped us for one thing. We rotate a lot of guys in and out so we always stay fresh,” said Sorice. And, “Coach [Matt] Caponi, our defensive coordinator, sets up our defensive plans and strategy for each game, and so far they are working.”

He said a strong defensive line has made his job at linebacker a lot easier.

“The defensive line has been doing a good job. That means fewer ball carriers are coming at you and that makes my job easier getting to the ball. There are fewer opportunities [to make tackles] but more quality opportunities, and you are not just overwhelmed,” said Sorice.

Sorice also said W&J has managed to recruit quality players who want to become part of a winning program that consistently makes the playoffs.

“That has to be a good recruiting tool,” he said, noting that also was one of the reasons he chose W&J.

Sorice is one of eight area players on the W&J roster. The others are junior running back Nick Puckett (Southern), junior wide receiver Joe Combine (Reynolds) and sophomore running back Joe Winters (Columbiana), all of whom play special teams; Mike Wamsley (East Liverpool), senior defensive lineman; Mark Pleiss (Warren JFK), junior offensive lineman from Niles; Kyle White (Cardinal Mooney), freshman defensive end; and Nathan Melhorn (Southern), freshman defensive back.

XJohn Kovach covers college athletics for The Vindicator. E-mail him at kovach @vindy.com.